Best barrel length for 22WMR 22 MAG
- Thread starter KodeFore
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Riomouse911
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I like 18” or so. There is more powder in the WMR than the LR case, so it can use that last bit of barrel to burn completely and not waste energy in an excessive fireball.
An extreme example, but a .22 WMR from a 4” S&W:
Vs a .22LR from a Glock 44.
Stay safe.
An extreme example, but a .22 WMR from a 4” S&W:
Vs a .22LR from a Glock 44.
Stay safe.
Ty. I am thinking of the heritage arms 16 revolver and adding the 22 mag cylinder. With a a 16 barrel I think 22 mag actually might make sence. Mostly I want the gun for fun and novelty, but I think in a pinch I think it might work as a survival rifle. ( I think the heritage arms with the 16 barrel is legally a rifle to start with, so adding a stock doesn't require any additional paperwork or fees ) but even as it this it just looks so strange
Riomouse911
Member
You will get a more complete powder burn with that 16” barrel over a 7.5” barrel or less, that is for sure. 
I have no experience with the Buntline style revolvers so I can’t speak from experience. My revolvers max out at 8 3/8” barrel lengths, which is plenty long enough for me.
Let us know if you get a 16” Heritage and how it shoots for you.
Stay safe.
I have no experience with the Buntline style revolvers so I can’t speak from experience. My revolvers max out at 8 3/8” barrel lengths, which is plenty long enough for me.
Let us know if you get a 16” Heritage and how it shoots for you.
Stay safe.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
I have a Heratige 16 inch. It's a lot of fun. And an attention getter at the gun club. Mine is the adjustable sights one.
GooseGestapo
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I have a 16” Heritage w/butt stock.
I’ve used the .22mag cylinder.
No thanks! Flame spitting and powder blast from barrel-cylinder gap is poorly contained.
Noise is worse than a .30Carbine revolver ever thought to be!
My favorite load for the Heritage is the CCI CB!
An 18.5” bbl is acceptable and a 20” is preferable. My Marlin 883 has a 22” bbl and gets preferred use! Accurate too.
I’ve used the .22mag cylinder.
No thanks! Flame spitting and powder blast from barrel-cylinder gap is poorly contained.
Noise is worse than a .30Carbine revolver ever thought to be!
My favorite load for the Heritage is the CCI CB!
An 18.5” bbl is acceptable and a 20” is preferable. My Marlin 883 has a 22” bbl and gets preferred use! Accurate too.
So I take it that way 22 mag cylinder doesn't get much use? Clearly using it as a pistol would put that blast farther from the face than as a carbine. I still wonder if the extra punch might be worth the inconvenience of that
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Only speaking about .22 magnum here . . .
In a manually operated closed breech rifle, about 18" will get you as much muzzle velocity as any other barrel length can hope for. Although a 16" rifle barrel will provide velocity numbers not far off an 18" barrel, in my experience.
In a revolver, about 7.5" seems to be near ideal due to the cylinder gap losing too much pressure (in longer barrels) before the bullet clears the muzzle.
For instance, my Ruger Single Six with 9.5" barrel shoots 40 grain magnums at about the same velocity that a 7.5" barrel revolver will. The only way my 9.5" barrel beats the 7.5" barrel in muzzle velocity is with 30 grain bullets.
https://rifleshooter.com/2018/03/22-magnum-barrel-length-and-velocity/
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html
In a manually operated closed breech rifle, about 18" will get you as much muzzle velocity as any other barrel length can hope for. Although a 16" rifle barrel will provide velocity numbers not far off an 18" barrel, in my experience.
In a revolver, about 7.5" seems to be near ideal due to the cylinder gap losing too much pressure (in longer barrels) before the bullet clears the muzzle.
For instance, my Ruger Single Six with 9.5" barrel shoots 40 grain magnums at about the same velocity that a 7.5" barrel revolver will. The only way my 9.5" barrel beats the 7.5" barrel in muzzle velocity is with 30 grain bullets.
https://rifleshooter.com/2018/03/22-magnum-barrel-length-and-velocity/
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html
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JTHunter
Member
The guns I have in .22 Magnum are three. One is a Ruger Single Six (with both cylinders) and I think it has a 6" barrel. I also have a Keltec PMR-30 with its ~4" barrel. Last is a Marlin 983 bolt action rifle with a 21" barrel and variable scope. I have no idea of what velocity these produce.
GooseGestapo
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Can’t even tell you where the magnum cylinder is! Looked last night.
I also have a 6”” w/adjustable sights. I like it a lot. But, with .22lr cylinder.
There is too little difference in velocity to justify the expense/noise of the .22wmr.
The Ranch Hand Carbine seems like a good idea till you realize how close to your ears the b/c gap is!
Yep... Waste of ammo. For that reason the 4" 651 is the only s&w I don't regret having sold. The disgruntled previous owner baited me into buying it with a low price.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Yeah, that article was posted for the muzzle velocity numbers.
The company that made that stock in the links quit making that stock due to lack of sales, then they got bought out by the owners of Palmetto State Armory. https://www.nodakspud.com/
Sorry about the tease of that stock. Too bad it isn’t made anymore.
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Remington1911
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Personally I really enjoy the 22mag, it is just that extra little oomph that makes it fun. I have two a lever winchester that is just harsh on the ears and a bolt anschutz, both shoot very well. The anschutz is a tad longer and just not as harsh.
I have the 22mag cyl for my heritage but figured whats the point.
I have thought about getting a 17 from the day they came out and always walked away thinking.....well the 22mag does the job as well, and have not bought one yet.
I have the 22mag cyl for my heritage but figured whats the point.
I have thought about getting a 17 from the day they came out and always walked away thinking.....well the 22mag does the job as well, and have not bought one yet.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm a fan, as well. .22 mag shoots flatter and hits harder further out than .22 LR, for times when that is wanted in a rimfire rifle.
I get a kick out of shooting .22 magnum out of handguns, too. It gives .357 magnum style fireballs out of little cartridges with less hand smacking force.
herrwalther
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22 Mag velocity gains start to level off between 9 and 12 inches depending on the ammo. 16" barrel in a rifle would be just about ideal for weight and balance compared to velocity. For a utility cartridge, I usually prefer a 22mag over 22LR.
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html
imho a ruger single six with a 5.5” barrel is the best compromise for handiness and getting more out of 22wmr ammo in a handgun. my rss came to me used minus its 22wmr cylinder. it is now a “single eight” tack driver with an 8-shot 22wmr replacement cylinder from these fine folks:
http://rugercyl.com/ruger-cylinders/
http://rugercyl.com/ruger-cylinders/
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Riomouse911
Member
Nice! So thats a drop-in 8-shot cylinder that replaces the six-shot original? If thats all it takes I may be in the market for one of each (LR and WMR)
.Stay safe.
yes it works very well indeed, no difference from an oem cylinder. mine was a bit tight so i paid a gunsmith $20 to smooth it a tad (maybe i didnt need to do so but i was super cautious and he was a good guy...), then i ran 100 range rounds through it = perfection.Nice! So thats a drop-in 8-shot cylinder that replaces the six-shot original? If thats all it takes I may be in the market for one of each (LR and WMR)
Stay safe.
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